You have probably seen elderberries grow in the wild. They have clusters of purple berries. But you might not know that you can grow them, too. Not many people think about elderberries as ornamental plants for their property, but now there are lots of different types with leaves that are either green or black or yellow and flowers that are white, pink, or gold. They can all be beautiful additions to your garden!
Elderberries are good for the environment because they provide food and shelter for many songbirds. They also provide food to pollinating insects. With elderberries, any garden can become a beautiful wildlife sanctuary.
The elderberry is a member of the honeysuckle family and has been grown for food, medicine and ornamentation for centuries. Many species can be found throughout temperate climates around the world. Elderberries have been used by virtually every culture that has come into contact with them to treat a wide variety of ailments from colds and flu to arthritis and cancer. How does this plant accomplish so much? It appears to have an adaptogenic quality – strengthening the body’s immune system in times of need through antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiviral properties.